Longtime Steel-High assistant coach Andrew Erby will replace former head coach Tom Hailey, who resigned on Feb. 13, and try to build on Steel-High's race to the PIAA semifinals last season. (PennLive photo)

Steel-High graduate and longtime assistant coach Andrew Erby will guide the Rollers into the 2014 season, the school announced Thursday night.

The former all-state selection and All-American linebacker at Delaware Valley, spent the last six seasons as the defensive coordinator under Hailey and former coach Rob Deibler.

“I felt like I've been working toward this all my life. I've been around the game of football, a fan of Steelton football since I was 5-years-old,” said Erby, who steered a 2013 Rollers' defense that surrendered just 8.4 points per game. Steel-High (12-2) claimed its ninth District 3-A title before falling to Old Forge in the PIAA semifinals.

“I had lots of cousins that played a big part in me becoming a Roller. I lived it, and I consider myself a leader,” Erby said. “One of the biggest things is to understand the kids, to help make them well-rounded individuals.”

Erby, a positive behavior facilitator in the school district, played a staring role on Cottage Hill, first as a standout linebacker under coach John Beck before Deibler took over in 1999.

Erby later earned All-American status in 2004, guiding Delaware Valley to a 9-2 mark in his senior year. He still holds the Aggies all-time mark with 367 career tackles.

That hard-nosed approach to defense has carried over to his coaching career, but Erby admits the program needs added stability in multiple areas. The Rollers have been successful, winning back-to-back state championships (2007-08) recently, but expectations continue to rise.

“My mentality is playing really aggressive football, to get after it. We preach fast and physical,” Erby, 32, said.

“But, I think the advantage of being here through the years is really knowing the kids. I know a lot of parents and have a good rapport with the younger kids. We have to make that class room a big deal so we can start to be respected as student-athletes.”

Erby and the Rollers will open the season August 29 at four-time defending D3-AAA champ Bishop McDevitt.